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Asked Tuesday how that scheme will work with this current group of Cowboys, Haley responded that it’s “going to be awesome.”

“They have a strong secondary and they got a strong linebacking corps, and then they got mobile and agile defensive linemen,” Haley told Norm Hitzges on 1310 The Ticket [KTCK-AM]. “It simplifies the defense a lot. It makes you be able to react and not think. When you think, somebody’s getting up in your chin. When you’re in that reaction mode, if someone moves, you move.”

Having to think too much was one of the biggest knocks on the 3-4 base defense that Rob Ryan was implementing the previous two seasons. Haley seems to think that DeMarcus Ware will benefit from the change, one that will move him from an outside linebacker to a pass-rushing end like Haley was.

“I don’t know who’s going to be the two ends but for Ware, I think he’s going to be totally awesome because all of that other crap he can just throw out,” Haley said. “He doesn’t have to think about it. In a 4-3 there’s only so much a d-lineman has to think about.”

No, make that especially on the practice field. To Haley, this was the only way the youngsters were going to learn what it took to play for the Dallas Cowboys. In his own unique way, he was going to assist the coaching staff in training the kids.

Well, at least that was the plan for the first day of training camp in 1994, at St. Edward’s University in Austin. This was the day Haley met the team’s second-round pick from Sonoma State, a quiet, unassuming, yet massive 22-year-old by the name of Larry Allen.

The huddles break for the first play of the scrimmage, and Haley immediately starts in on Allen, calling him, well, let’s use our imagination on this while assuming it was entertaining if nothing else. Allen doesn’t say a word, doesn’t even look up and acknowledge him. The ball is snapped, Haley, in his prime as one of the game’s elite pass rushers, takes perhaps a stride, no more as Allen promptly treats him like a four-year-old does a Slinky.

“Charles had absolutely no idea who Larry was, none,” longtime Cowboys offensive line coach Hudson Houck said. “Larry just manhandled Charles, which completely took him by surprise. And Charles, who wasn’t a man of many words, gets up, walks over to me, and says, ‘Coach, you have one heck of a player there,’ and walks back to the defensive huddle.

“Larry wasn’t one of the best offensive linemen I was around in my 28 years coaching in the NFL. He was one of the best football players. No one worked harder either.”

For this reason, we go all the way back to 1998, when Kiffin was comfortably running his innovative defense in Tampa Bay with much success (and, coincidentally, when the playbook I've come to possess originated from). We haven't seen a real Monte Kiffin defense in years, so it's only logical to go straight to the source.

#8 (be disciplined) in team philosophy and #5 (eliminate foolish penalties) in defensive objectives are the 2 key things that I want to see implimented on this squad the most!!!!_________________"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyways" - John Wayne

DeMarcus Ware suffered a fractured wrist, hyperextended elbow and a torn labrum this season. "I was playing about six games with one arm."

Respect

No. Trade him. Who wants an almost sure fire Hall of Fame player, that plays injured, instead of checking it in to retire with the Cowboys.

Very tough player. Already one of my all time favourites who just scored more points in my book. I think he will do quite well in Kiffin's defense. Looking forward to seeing him healthy in 2013._________________Northland

To bring a guy in essentially every season, whether you draft him in the fourth round or fifth round or third round, whatever it might be. I think there's something to be said for that.

He did not say Dallas should replace Romo, just that they should start trying to find the heir apparent with Romo set to turn 33 in April.

Aikman is correct. Dallas should draft a qb or 2 every year until they find a legit replacement. Waiting for a Luck or Grifin isn't going to happen. Niners look smarter and smarter every day with the Kaepernick selction. I truly have no idea what Dallas saw in McGee. Romo has never been pushed by anyone because there is no one to push him._________________A circle. The direction the Cowboys continue to travel.